End-attaching device



Aug 18, 1953 E. F. PREs'nNARl ETAL 2,648,886

END-ATTAC-ING DEVICE Filed Jan. 3, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E f P/mznw,

jak. .Ja/ng() www) Allg- 18, 1953 E. F. PBEsTlNARl ETAL 2,648,886

END-ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Jan. 5, 195.0 2 SheetsSheet 2 Patented Aug. 18, n 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE END-ATTACHING DEVICE Eugen F. Prestinar, Short Hills, and John F.

Sand, Newark, N. J., assignors to Gemex Company, Union, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 3, 1950, Serial No. 136,557

10 Claims.

This invention relates to end-attaching devices, and more particularly to devices of this class such as are used on the end of a snake chain portion of a snake chain wrist watch band for attaching the end of the chain to the clasp of the band.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an end-attaching device of the class described by means of which the end of a snake chain or the like may be readily and securely detachably connected to the clasp of a wrist watch bracelet or other member, from which the end of the chain may be readily released so that the chain may be shortened if necessary and its end re-attached to the device without damaging the chain or the device, and which has a perfectly smooth surface in contact with the wrist of the wearer so that it will not injure or irritate the skin. Briefly, an end-attaching device of this invention comprises a channel member adapted to receive the end of a snake chain or the like. Inwardly directed opposed teeth are provided at the sides of the channel member adapted to enter between two adjacent links of a snake chain or the like inserted between the flanges of the channel member to prevent the chain from being 4pulled endwise out of the channel. A closure is provided for the open side of the channel to prevent removal of the end of the chain through the open side of the'channel. @ther features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a, plan view of an end-attaching device of the invention for a snake chain of rectangular cross section; v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1;k

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, the chain being omitted;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 1, illustrating certain jaws of the device in open position, the chain being omitted;

Fig. '7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the elements of the device of Fig. 1;v

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 5 showing a modification for accommodating a snake chain of circular cross section, the chain being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a special gripper element for the Fig. 8 embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 5 showing a modification for accommodating two snake chains of rectangular cross section side-by-side, the chains being shown in dotted lines; and,

Fig. 11 is a section similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a modication for accommodating two snake chains of circular cross section side-by-side, the chains being shown in dotted lines.

Similar reference characters indicate correspending parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1-'7 illustrate an end-attaching device of this invention for accommodating a snake chain C of rectangular cross section. Snake chains of the type for which this end-attaching device is adapted are well known in the jewelry art and require no further description. As shown, the end-attaching device comprises a channel member I and a pivoted closure 3 for closing the open side of the channel member. The channel member I is of U-shape in cross section having a flat web 5 and straight anges 'I perpendicular to the web. 'Ihe closure 3, which is also of channel shape in cross section, has a flat web 9 and straight flanges II perpendicular to the web. The channel member I is of such width as to have a close frictional t between the flanges II of the closure 3. The anges l of the channel member I correspond in height to the flanges II of the closure 3 so that the channel member may iit substantially entirely within the closure. 'I'he web 9 of the closure 3 terminates short of one end thereof, so that the flanges II of the closure project past this end of the web, as indicated at I3. A ngernail tab I5 projects from the other end of the web 9 of the closure.

` The channel member I is somewhat longer than the closure 3. The web 5 of the channel member I slopes inward at one end as indicated at I'I. An opening I9 is provided in the sloping portion I'I for receiving a link 2| (shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1-3) for attaching the device to the clasp 23 (shown fragmentarily in dotted lines in Figs. 1-3) of a wrist watch bracelet. The

channel member I is pivoted adjacent its end-Y where the opening I 9 is provided between the projecting portions I3 of the flanges I I of the closure 3 bymeans of a pivot pin 25. The latter extendsk from one flange II of the closure through the flanges 'I of the channel member I to the other flange II of the closure, and its other ends are staked in place in the flanges I I of the closure. The channel member I and the closure 3 are pivotally connected together at one end by the pin 25 in opposed relation, i. e., the open side of the channel member I faces the open side of the closure 3. The arrangement is such that the channel member I and the closure may be pivoted to a closed position wherein they form a box-like socket open at the end remote from the pivotal connection at the pin.

At 2'! is shown a U-shaped gripper element for gripping the end of the snake chain C. The gripper has arms 2S extending from a base portion 3I, the arms being springy. The gripper may be bent from a strip of sheet metal. The channel member I is made somewhat wider than the width of the snake chain C. The gripper is slightly narrower than the channel member I so that its arms t tightly between the sides of the snake chain and the anges 'I of the'channel member I when the end of the snake chain is inserted between the arms of the gripper (see Fig. 4), the arms of the gripper being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of the snake chain. The gripper is pivoted on the pin 25 adjacent its base 3|, the pin extending through apertures 32 provided in the arms 23 of the gripper adjacent the base 3I. The gripper is located between the sides of the channel member I and its arms 29 extend forward from the pin 25 toward the free end of the channel member at the sides of the channel member. Each arm of the gripper is shown as formed at its forward free end with a pair of inwardly directed teeth 33, the teeth of the two arms being opposed and adapted to enter between adjacent links of the snake chain C as illustrated in Fig. 4. It will be understood that each arm of the gripper may be formed with only one tooth, rather than a pair, or more than two teeth spaced at intervals corresponding to the spacing oi' the links of the snake chain, if desired. The arms 29 of the gripper terminate somewhat short of the free end of the channel member I.

The closure 3 may be releasably maintained in closed position closing the open side of the' channel member I by providing detents 35 struck inward from the anges of the closure 3 engageable in apertures 3l formed in the flanges of the member I. However, the member I may be formed toV have such a close sliding t between the anges of the closure 3 that the friction between the iianges will releasably maintain the closure 3 in closed positionwithout such detents.

As shown, the gripper element 21 is formed with outwardly struck detents 38 adjacent the free ends of its arms 29.V These are engageable in apertures @El in the side iianges 'I of the channel member I to prevent the gripper element from pivoting out from between the flanges 7. The detents 38 and apertures dil may be omitted if it is not desired to keep the gripper element from swinging out from between the flanges 1.V

To attach the end of the snake chain C to the device, the members I and 3 are opened to a position such as illustrated Vin Fig. 6, utilizing the fingernail tab I5 for this purpose. The end of the snake chain is then inserted between the members I and 3, and pressed in between the arms 29 of the Vgripper 2l, the teeth 33 at the ends of the arms entering the space between adjacent links of the chain. Then the closure 3 is closed. The flanges 'I of the channel member I prevent the arms 2I o fthe gripper from spreading apart so that the teeth 33 prevent the chain from being pulled out endwise. The closure 3, which is releasably held in position closing the open side of the channel member I, either by the engagement of detents 35 in apertures 3l, or by the frictional engagement of the inner and outer ilanges 'I and II if the detents are not used, prevents removal of the chain through the open side of the channel member.

It will be understood that as an alternative tothe above-described mode of attaching the end of the snake chain to the device, the end of the chain may be inserted in the closure 3 and the closure and channel member I pressed together to cause the end of the chain to enter between the arms of the gripper. Under these circumstances, the teeth 33 at the ends of the arms of the gripper nd the nearest spaces between adjacent links of the chain and bite in between these links.

To release the end of the chain, the closure 3 is opened, and the endof thev chain is slipped sidewise off the teeth of the gripper. No damage is done either to the chain or to the endattaching device in attaching or releasing the end of the chain.

As herein illustrated, the arrangement is such that the outside face of the web 3 of the closure 3 contacts the Wrist of the wearer. It will be seen that the outside face of the closure is periectly smooth and will not irritate or injure the skin. Nor are there any sharp corners in any such position that would contact the wrist.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modification for accommodating a snake chain of circular cross section. This modification is in most respects the same as that of Figs. 1-7 except that the web of the channel member I is arcuately curved as indicated at 39 to fit the chainv of circular cross section, and the teeth at the ends of the arms 29 of the gripper 21 are formed as shown at `II in Figs. 8 and 9, with only one tooth on each arm of the gripper. This modication is also shown with detents 35 and 38 and apertures 31 and IIB omitted, to indicate that they are not essential.

Fig. 10 illustrates a modification for accommodating two snake chains of rectangular cross section side-by-side. This modication is the same in most respects as that of Figs. 1-7 except that the channel member I and the closure 3 are made wider to receive the two chains. This modiiication is also shown with detents 35 and 38 and apertures 3T and de omitted.

Fig. 11 illustrates a modification for accommodating two snake chains of circular cross section side-by-side. This modification is in all respects the same as that of Fig. 10 except that the web of the channel member I is doubly arcuately curved as indicated at d3 and the teeth at the ends of the arms 29 of the gripper 2l `are formed as shown in Fig. 9.

In view of the above, it will be seenv that'the several objects of the `invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many Vchanges could be made inthe above constructions without departing fromthe scope of the invention, it is intendedv that all matter contained in the above description or shown in4 the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted 51 U-shape in cross section thereby having a web, side anges, and an open side, all U-shaped gripper pivoted between theanges of the channel member adjacent one end of the latter with its arms extending along the insides of the flanges of the channel member and spaced apart to receive the end of a snake chain or the like therebetween, each arm of the gripper having an inwardly directed tooth at its end, and a closure for the open side of the channel member pivoted on the pivotal connection of the gripper and th channel member.

2. An end-attaching device for a snake chain or the like comprising a channel member of U-shape in cross section thereby having a web, sid-e anges, and an open side, a U-shaped gripper pivoted between the ilanges of the'channel member adjacent one end of the latter with its arms extending along the insides of the anges of the channel member and spaced apart to receive the end of a snake chain or the like therebetween, each arm of the gripper having an inwardly directed tooth at its end, and a closure for the open side of the channel member pivoted on the pivotal connection of the gripper and the channel member, said closure being of U-shape in cross section thereby having a web, side flanges, and an open side and having its open side opposed to the open side of the channel member, the latter being adapted to t tightly but releasably in the closure.

3. An end-attaching device for a snake chain or the like comprising a channel member of U- shape in cross section thereby having a web, straight side flanges perpendicular to the web, and an open side, a closure oi U-shape in cross section thereby having a web, straight side flanges perpendicular to the web, and an open side, the channel member being adapted to t tightly but releasably in the closure, the channel member and closure being pivotally connected at one end with their open sides in opposed relation by means of a transverse pin fixed at its ends in the anges of the closure and extending through the flanges of the channel member, and a U-shaped gripper pivoted at its base end on the pin with its arms extending toward the free end of the channel member along the insides of the anges of the channel member, each arm of the gripper having an inwardly directed tooth at its end adapted to enter between two adjacent links of the end of a snake chain or the like laterally inserted between the arms of the gripper.

4. An end-attaching device for a snake chain or the like comprising a channel member of U-shape in cross section thereby having a web, straight side anges perpendicular to the web, and an open side, a closure of U-shape in cross section thereby having a web, straight side anges perpendicular to the web, and an open side the channel member being adapted to fit tightly but releasably in the closure, the channel member and closure being pivotally connected at one end with their open sides in opposed relation by means of a transverse pin xed at its ends in the anges of the closure and extending through the flanges of the channel member, and a U-shaped gripper pivoted at its base end on the pin with its arms extending toward the free end of the channel member along the insides of the iianges of the channel member, each arm of the gripper having an inwardly directed tooth at its end adapted to enter between two adjacent links of the end of a snake chain or the like laterally in- 6. serted between the arms of the gripper,v the web of said channel member having an opening therein at the pivoted end of the channel memberl to receive a link for attaching the device to a bracelet clasp or the like. l f

5. An end-attaching device for a snake chain or the likecomprising a channel member of U- shape in cross section thereby having a web, straight side flanges perpendicular to the web,l and an open side, a closure of U-shape in cross section thereby having a web, straight side flanges perpendicular'to the web, and an open side the channel member being adapted to t tightly but releasably in the closure, the channel member and closure being pivotally connected at one end with their open sides in opposed relation by means of a transverse pin xed at its ends in the flanges of the closure and extending through the anges of the channel member, and a U-shaped gripperpivoted at its 'base end on the pin with its arms extending toward the free end of the channel member along the insides of the flanges of the channel member, each arm of the gripper having an inwardly directed tooth at its nd adapted to enter between `two adjacent links of the end of a snake chain or the like laterally inserted between the arms of the gripper, the web of said closure -being smooth and ilat and having a fingernail tab projecting from its end at the free end of the closure.

6. An end-attaching device for a snake chain or the like comprising a, channel member having a web and straight flanges perpendicular to the web, one end 0f the web sloping inward toward the respective end of the channel member and having an opening therein to receive a link for attaching the channel member to a bracelet clasp or the like, a closure of channel shape having a web and straight anges, the web of the closure terminating short of one end of the closure so that its flanges project past this end of the web, the channel member lbeing adapted to flt tightly but releasably in the closure, the channel member and closure being pivotally connected together with their open sides in opposed relation by means of a transverse pin xed at its ends in the projecting portions of the flanges of the closure and extending through the ilanges of the channel member adjacent the-end of the latter provided with the link-receiving opening, and a U-shaped gripper pivoted at its base end on the pin, the pin extending through openings in the arms of the gripper adjacent its base, with the arms of the gripper extending toward the free end of the channel member along the insides of the anges of the channel member, each arm of the gripper having an inwardly directed tooth at its end adapted to enter between two adjacent links of the end of a snake chain or the like inserted between the arms of the gripper.

7. An end-attaching device for a snake chain or the like comprising a channel member having a web and straight anges perpendicular to the web, one end of the web sloping inward toward the respective end of the channel member and having an opening therein to receive a link for attaching the channel member to a bracelet clasp or the like, a closure of channel shape having ya web and straight flanges, the web of the closure terminating short of one end of the closure so that its flanges project past this end of the web, the channel member being adapted to t tightly but releasably in the closure, the channel member and closure being pivotally connected toafs/rasee gether with their open sides in opposed relation by means of a transverse pin fixed at its ends in the projecting portions of the anges of the closure and extending through the anges of the channel member adjacent the end of the latter provided with the link-receiving opening, and a U`shaped gripper pivoted at its base end on the pin, the pin extending through openings in the arms of the gripper adjacent its base, with the arms of the gripper extending toward the free end of the channel member along the insides of the anges of the channel member, each arm of the' gripper having an inwardly directed tooth at its end adapted to enter between two adjacent links of the end of a snake chain or the like inserted between the arms of the gripper, the web of said closure being smooth and flat and having a fingernail tab projecting from its end at the free end of the closure.

8. An end-attaching device as set forth in claim '7, further including detents extending inward from the flanges of the closure engageable in apertures in the flanges of the channel member. v

9. An end-ataching device yas set forth in 8f claim 7, further including means for preventing the gripper from pivoting out from between the anges of the channel member.

10. An end-attaching device as set forth in claim 7, further including detents extending outward from the arms of the gripper engageable in apertures in the flanges of the channel member.

EUGEN F. PRESTINARI. JOHN F. SAND.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 211,530 Smith Jan. 21, 1879 1,032,664 France July 16, 1912 1,957,274 Lederer May 1, 1934 2,115,954 Johnson May 3, 1938 2,531,053 Kehrer Nov. 21, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 630,115 France Nov. 23, 1927 146,274 Austria June 25, 1936` 

